Nigel Havers tells EMMA DUNN being nice is too much hard work

THE baddie is the best part in the pantomime to play, according to Wyvern panto villain Nigel Havers.

The actor, who played love rat Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, will star as King Rat in the Wyvern Theatre’s performances of Dick Whittington from December 6 to January 4.

The theatre is expecting more than 40,000 people will come and see the show.

“I get a real buzz out of doing pantomime,” said Nigel.

“I can mess about and include the audience.

“I only ever play the baddie in panto. I love it because it’s more fun. Being charming and nice is such hard work.

“I scare the kids to death. They love to boo, that’s part of the deal. I will be very rude to the audience in Swindon, which makes them boo me even more.

“The whole thing has got to be fun – fun for us and fun for the audience.

“It’s bloody hard work doing two shows a day but I just knuckle down and do it.”

Nigel said it is important the whole family enjoys the show, particularly the kids.

“Lots of children come to see the pantomime because it’s really for them. For a lot of them it will be the first time they have been to the theatre. If they like it, they will come back. That’s the audience of the future,” he said.

Nigel has been a star of stage and screen for 40 years. He has appeared in films including Chariots Of Fire, Nicholas Nickleby, A Passage To India and Empire Of The Sun.

He also starred in TV shows Little Britain, The Charmer, Don’t Wait Up, Brothers & Sisters and The Sarah Jane Adventures. He researched his family on Who Do You Think You Are? and braved the Bush Tucker Challenge on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

The seasoned pantomime star, who lives in Wiltshire, became a grandfather this year and originally planned to have this festive season off.

“My daughter said as it is my grandson Nico’s first Christmas I should be there, so I said I wasn’t going to do panto. Swindon is only 15 minutes down the road so we decided I could do this one. Nico is six months old and he is just the most well behaved baby. I’m in love with my grandson.”

Nigel, who starred as the Sheriff in Robin Hood in Plymouth’s pantomime last year, will be joined on stage by Wyvern Theatre pantomime favourite David Ashley, who is returning to Swindon for a fourth year. He will play Sarah the Cook.

Nigel and David will be joined by Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane’s daughter Lucy Kane, who will play Dick Whittington’s love interest, Alice Fitzwarren.

The pantomime will also star returning actors Lewis Barnshaw as Simple Simon and Suzie Chard as Fairy Bowbells. Kristian Morse will play Dick Whittington. The show is produced by Daryl Back.

For tickets, visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481.

Dick Whittington will be at the Wyvern Theatre from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, January 4. Performances are at various times and there are a variety of ticket prices with special offers for families and group bookings. For full information and to book, visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524481